Africa Visa Openness Report 2020

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" A global COVID-19 health pandemic has upended all plans - including travels… Yet our interdependency, our need for pulling together, uniting and staying focused together, has never been more important."1

Akinwumi A. Adesina President, African Development Bank Group

" We should go beyond the present situation, by preparing for post-pandemic conditions in the world.

There is an urgent need for Africa to develop new forms of resilience… There is an urgent need for Africa to chart its own course… We should, in full lucidity, boldly opt for an innovative approach that is inward-looking rather than outward-looking."2

Moussa Faki Mahamat Chairperson, African Union Commission

Africa Visa Openness Index: Headlines in 2020

20 countries moved upwards in rank

on the Africa Visa Openness Index. 24 countries

o�er eVisas re�ecting 44%

of the continent.

50 countriesimproved or maintained their

visa openness score on the Index.

Seychelles, Benin and The Gambia o�er visa-free access

to all Africans.

ECOWAS, EAC, SADC and UMAare the top performing RECs

on open reciprocity.

26%Africans do not need

a visa to travel to 26%of other African countries

46%Africans need visas

to travel to 46% of other

African countries

28%Africans can get

visas on arrival in 28% of other African countries

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ContentsAfrica Visa Openness Index

The Africa Visa Openness Index measures how open African countries are when it comes to visas by looking at what they ask of citizens from other countries in Africa when they travel. It aims to show at

a glance which countries are facilitating travel for citizens of other countries and how; whether they allow people to travel to their country without a visa, if travellers can get a visa on arrival in the country, or if visitors need to get a visa before travel.

Data on visa openness was collected in July and August 2020. The primary source of information was from official country websites and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The Africa Visa Openness Index is tracking changes in country scores over time to show which countries are making improvements that support freer movement of people across Africa.

In future editions, the Report will look at how countries are facilitating visa openness by cutting time, reducing costs, or simplifying the visa process as well as how far a visitor’s experience on the ground matches up to the agreements or visa policies on paper.

MethodologyThe higher a country’s score in the Index, the more visa open it is and the higher it ranks. Scores range from 0 (lowest) – 1 (highest).

Index categories: n Visa required n Visa on arrival n No visa

Each category is weighted based on its degree of openness. For example, a ‘no visa’ result is weighted by 1 (high openness), ‘visa on arrival’ is weighted by 0.8 and a ‘visa required’ by 0.

Index category indicators based on 54 African countries:*

n Number of countries from whose citizens a visa is required as a % of total number of countries

n Number of countries whose citizens can get a visa on arrival as a % of total number of countries

n Number of countries from whose citizens no visa is required as a % of total number of countries

A country’s score is calculated by adding the results from all three indicators:

[ (% of visa required x 0) + (% of visa on arrival x 0.8) + (% of no visa x 1) ] / 100 = country visa openness score.

* All African Union member countries except Western Sahara, which was not ranked due to a lack of available information.

Foreword, African Development Bank 5Dr. Khaled F. Sherif, Vice-President, Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery

African Union’s Agenda 2063 6

African Union: latest developments on Agenda 2063 6

Foreword, African Union Commission 7H.E. Kwesi Quartey, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission

Visa definitions 8

Visa overview 8

Glossary 8

Latest developments on regional integration 9

COVID-19 impacts 10

Travel, Tourism and investment in Africa 10

Visa openness in Africa 11

Impact on African airlines 12

Visa openness findings, 2020 12

Access overview 15

eVisas 15

Top performers 16

Regional overview, 2020 17

Visa openness progress, 2016-2020 18

Case studies: countries moving up in 2020 21

The Gambia 21

Nigeria 22

Sierra Leone 23

24

26

27

Looking ahead

Annex 1. Visa openness in Africa: country scores and ranking

Annex 2. Visa openness in Africa: latest developments and initiatives

Notes 28

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AcknowledgementsThis 2020 edition of the Africa Visa Openness Index marks the fifth report that has been produced jointly by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Union Commission (AUC).

This latest publication is set against the profoundly different context of the COVID-19 pandemic that is having far-reaching impacts that risk reversing Africa’s economic gains of recent years. This edition of the report highlights the shockwaves affecting sectors from tourism through to investment and how promoting visa openness solutions can support the continent’s economic recovery. It is notable that the upwards trend for countries to liberalize visa regimes and welcome African travellers continues in this 2020 edition. As travel restrictions ease and safety measures put in place, sustaining this progress and momentum is vital.

Sincere acknowledgment is due to the senior management of the AfDB and AUC that are at the forefront of spearheading a greater freedom to travel across the continent for all African citizens. The visa openness project is led by Zodwa Florence Mabuza, with valuable support from Ambroise Kitohou and Johanna Pangeiko Nautwima in calculating and updating the Index. Recognition also goes to Jean-Guy Afrika and Youssouf Koné for their contributions.

Special thanks on the report go to consultants engaged by the AfDB: Elena Immambocus for the writing and report development, Peggy King Cointepas for the design and graphics, and José Carlos Alexandre for selected images.

Moono Mupotola Director, Regional Development and Regional Integration

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" ... as the evolving fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, countries increasingly need to look beyond domestic frontiers in order to boost their economic prospects. Visa openness will support Africa to reposition its future growth..."

Dr. Khaled F. Sherif Vice-President, Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery

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Foreword, African Development Bank

In a period where the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is still hitting hard, the benefit of expanded horizons and increased open borders is even more evident. With countries putting in place restrictions to movement to manage the crisis, the rising costs of immobility are clear. Integrating Africa – from trade to travel – is more critical than ever.

The Africa Visa Openness Index marks its fifth edition in 2020, a testament to the vision of a continent showing steady progress in easing the movement of African citizens to travel, invest and to do business. The fact that governments have continued this move in spite of the global pandemic, reveals the value placed on freer visa regimes and revitalizing key sectors of their economies to maintaining the right investor climate.

The 2020 Index shows that a record 54% of the continent is now accessible for African visitors who no longer need visas to travel or can get one on arrival. This marks a significant increase of 9% from five years ago. In 2020, The Gambia

joins Seychelles and Benin in leading the way, allowing visa-free access for all African travellers. In addition, 20 countries have moved upwards in the rankings, while 93% of countries have improved or maintained their scores.

The overall picture on visa openness is positive, and reflected in the latest Africa Regional Integration Index, which finds freedom of movement to be the strongest of the continent’s integration dimensions.

Yet, as the evolving fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, countries increasingly need to look beyond domestic frontiers in order to boost their economic prospects. Visa openness will support Africa to reposition its future growth and, at the same time, promote participation in regional and global value chains.

Next year, we hope to see more African countries easing travel restrictions for students, investors, tourists or businesspeople. This, in a significant way, can help lessen the severity of the COVID-19 crisis and make us more connected than before.

Dr. Khaled F. Sherif Vice-President, Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery

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African Union’s Agenda 20633

ASPIRATION 2.

An integrated continent, politically united based on the ideals

of Pan Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance.

20. We aspire that by 2063, Africa shall:

Be a United Africa;

Have world class, integrative infrastructure that criss-crosses the continent;

Have dynamic and mutually beneficial links with her Diaspora; and

Be a continent with seamless borders, and management of cross border resources

through dialogue.

24. Africa shall be a continent where the free movement of people, capital, goods

and services will result in significant increases in trade and investments

amongst African countries rising to unprecedented levels, and strengthen

Africa’s place in global trade.

African Union: latest developments on Agenda 2063African Continental Free Trade Area Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), due to start on 1 July 2020, was moved to 1 January 2021. The AfCFTA is set to open up horizons for intra-African trade and investment, with more companies standing to benefit, including small and medium-sized businesses. Allowing freedom of movement will mean African investors and entrepreneurs, including young people, can access information, skills and technology to capitalize on these opportunities.

Protocol on Free Movement of Persons in AfricaAt the foundation of Africa’s integration stands the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, which ties in with the Index’s efforts to track progress on visa openness on the continent. As of November 2019, the Protocol had been signed by 33 countries and ratified by four of them, showing the imperative behind more countries taking steps to move further ahead.5

Single African Air Transport MarketThe Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) will support greater African connectivity by opening up Africa’s skies at the same time as boosting the travel sector, driving business and tourism. To date 34 countries have signed up to the SAATM, representing 80% of the aviation market. Opening up visa access for travellers is vital to accompany these efforts.6

“ [The AfCFTA] sends a strong signal to the international investor community that Africa is open for business, based on a single rule-book for trade and investment… Aggressively implementing the AfCFTA has the potential to be Africa’s economic recovery tool.” 4

Wamkele Mene Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat

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Foreword, African Union Commission

Every country in Africa has been affected by the consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. From a dramatic fall in air traffic on the continent to the profound losses that have accompanied closures spanning business as well as leisure and tourism sectors. As a result of the crisis, the vast majority of African economies are experiencing GDP contraction and investment levels are dropping. A number of economies are projected to enter a recession, and many citizens face unprecedented upheavals in jobs and livelihoods.

Yet the measures put in place by governments across the continent to stem the health crisis and manage its economic impacts underscore that decisive and bold action is possible. As the time comes to safely reopen and reinvigorate economic opportunities across Africa, it is critical to advance measures that propel the continent and all its citizens further forward. Liberalizing a country's visa regime is a policy tool that can be quickly adopted to do this.

The Africa Visa Openness Index continues to track the striking results made by the top performers on the continent and the speed with which countries can move up in rank. In this 2020 edition, three countries in West Africa – The Gambia,

Nigeria and Sierra Leone - show how this is possible, expanding travel horizons for citizens from other African countries. It serves as a clear reminder of the benefits of prioritizing visa openness solutions in large and small economies, with big gains accruing to business, investment, innovation and tourism.

Importantly, as the 1 January 2021 start date for trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area moves closer, key measures that facilitate the movement of people will underpin its success. The rise in eVisas, with 24 countries across Africa offering online systems, is a case in point. While the progress over the last five years is laudable, more can be done as the Index findings show that African citizens still need visas to travel to 46% of other African countries. Countries in East and West Africa rank among the majority of the Index top performers, showcasing the potential that exists for countries in other regions to follow suit.

The advantages of a united, integrated Africa are undisputed. For countries and regions to benefit the most from regional integration, they must take bold steps.

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H.E. Kwesi Quartey Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission

"The thesis, Africa Must Unite, remains unassailable." Kwame Nkrumah, Africa Must Unite

Together, we move towards a visa-free Africa.

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Visa overviewVISA OPENNESS means how easy it is for visitors to travel to a country when it comes to visas.

A MORE VISA-OPEN COUNTRY has a liberal or relaxed visa policy for travellers, so that visitors either do not need a visa when they enter or can get a visa on arrival. A more visa-restrictive country requires visitors to get a visa before they travel, for example, from an Embassy.

VISAS ARE USED FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, as a security measure to control the entry and duration of the stay of people coming into a country, to limit a visitor’s activities, to generate revenue or to show reciprocity to match the treatment other countries give to one’s citizens.

Visa definitionsA VISA is an endorsement (through a certificate or stamp in a travel document) showing a visitor is allowed to enter the country for a specific length of time and for specific activities.

VISA REQUIRED means a visa has to be obtained before departure from an embassy, an honorary consulate or another official representative.

VISA ON ARRIVAL means a visa has to be obtained on arrival in the country. This includes filling out any visa forms, paying the visa fee if applicable and receiving a visa in a travel document.

NO VISA means that there is no visa needed either before departure or on arrival, with no entry authorisation required to enter freely into the country. Entry procedures still need to be complied with – these can include filling out entry forms and receiving an entry stamp.

eVISA means an electronic visa that can be obtained before departure from an official online platform.

Visa openness platform A visa openness online platform is available at:

www.visaopenness.orgThe platform showcases how African countries are performing on visa openness overall and the progress being made on scores and rankings on a yearly basis. To promote greater transparency, the platform highlights the visa policy of each country from a centralized hub.

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GlossaryAfCFTA African Continental Free Trade Area AfDB African Development Bank GroupAUC African Union CommissionAU African UnionCEMAC Central African Economic and Monetary Union CEN-SAD Community of Sahel-Saharan StatesCOVID-19 Infectious disease caused by coronavirusEAC East African CommunityECA (United Nations) Economic Commission for Africa ECCAS Economic Community of Central African StatesECOWAS Economic Community of West African StateseVisa Electronic visaFDI Foreign direct investmentGDP Gross Domestic ProductIATA International Air Transport AssociationPFMP Protocol on Free Movement of PersonsREC Regional Economic CommunitySAATM Single African Air Transport MarketSADC Southern African Development CommunitySME Small and medium-sized enterpriseUMA Arab Maghreb UnionUMIC Upper middle-income countryUN United NationsUNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and DevelopmentUNWTO World Tourism Organization (UN specialized agency)WTTC World Travel & Tourism Council

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Latest developments on regional integration

Africa Regional Integration Index Report 2019

AFRICA Regional Integration Index

“ Regional integration is indispensable for… connectivity, investment flows and value creation… African countries need to implement the Protocol on the Free Movement of People, which will in turn enable traders and investors to operate beyond their national borders.” 7

Joint Foreword, AfDB, AUC, ECA, Africa Regional Integration Index, 2019 Report

The Africa Regional Integration Index, 2019 report is available at: www.integrate-africa.org

Africa Regional Integration Index 2019

The second edition of the Africa Regional Integration Index published by the AUC, ECA and AfDB in May 2020 is helping to track progress and identify integration priorities Africa-wide. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Index findings serve to underline the importance of integration in building more resilient economies to withstand wider systemic shocks.

The 2019 Index provides up-to-date data to assess the level of integration for Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and member countries, and is scored across five key dimensions spanning trade, productive capacity, macroeconomic policy, infrastructure, and the free movement of people. On the free movement of people, the Africa Regional Integration Index measures the degree to which African countries have

committed to the Protocol on the Free Movement of People, Rights of Residence and Establishment, alongside the openness of countries’ visa regimes.

The Index sets out how putting in place the Protocol will allow African workers, students, researchers and border residents to move freely between signatory states. In turn, it points to how welcoming visa policies will translate to more business, investment and innovation. The report also highlights how greater openness will make it possible to scale up local ventures, build economies of scale and develop efficient regional and global value chains. In addition, it showcases how digital technology plays a role in streamlining entry processes making it possible for more students, traders, and residents to travel, exchange knowledge and build new markets.

Regional Integration highlightsn ‘Free movement of people’ performs the

strongest across the five key dimensions in Africa with a score of 0.441 (average score across all dimensions: 0.327).

Africa Regional Integration Index recommendations: n Implementation of the Protocol on the Free

Movement of People, which will enhance economic growth and allow firms to find skills more easily, in turn driving productivity.

n Greater visa openness with the goal of a visa-free regime for all African citizens and use of the African passport.

n More regional cooperation on the freedom of movement among RECs. Visa openness solutions include issuing multi-year visas and creating visa-free regional blocs.8

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Travel, tourism and investment in AfricaIn 2020, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has sent shockwaves across health systems and economies across the African continent, upending travel, tourism and investment.

In 2019, travel and tourism in Africa had a 2.2% growth rate, contributing USD 168.5 billion to GDP and supporting 24.6 million jobs.12 Yet over the course of 2020, the backdrop to travel and leisure changed radically as governments put in place measures to control the spread of the disease. These approaches, in Africa and elsewhere, ranged from bans on international travel through to targeted bans, and screening and quarantine requirements for travellers.13

Alongside a 95% fall in international traffic in July, Africa’s hotels saw occupancy fall by 73%, witnessing a loss of 18 million international arrivals year-on-year through June.14 To bounce back, the travel and tourism sector Africa-wide has worked hard to adapt and meet global protocols and guidelines, including through the display of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s ‘Safe Travel’ stamp, which features in 13 African countries or sub-regions.15 At the same time, there has been a growing focus for the leisure industry on championing regional as well as domestic tourism in Africa.

...the move to start trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area in 2021, and expected finalization of its investment protocol, offers renewed possibilities for growth.16

Foreign direct investment (FDI) to the continent rose in recent years having picked up by 10.9% in 2018, reaching USD 45.9 billion and moving to an estimated USD 49 billion in 2019.17 As a result of fallout from the pandemic and the uncertain climate for investors, FDI flows to Africa are due to fall in 2020, with investments either reduced or postponed. Securing renewed confidence will be critical and there is hope that increased, decisive investment can channel economic recovery as highlighted by partners of the Africa Investment Forum.18 In turn, the move to start trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area in 2021, and expected finalization of its investment protocol, offers renewed possibilities for growth.19

COVID-19 impacts

Headline figuresn International traffic in Africa

dropped 95% in July 2020.9

n Africa saw a 57% decline in international tourist arrivals in the first half of 2020.10

n FDI flows to Africa are forecast to contract between 25% and 40% in 2020.11

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Impact on African airlines" The economic consequences resulting from a disconnected continent are severe. Millions of jobs and livelihoods are at risk in family-run enterprises and large corporations along the entire travel and tourism value chain. For Africa’s economic recovery and future prosperity, it is essential to expedite the safe restart of the industry.” 23

Muhammad Al Bakri, Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, IATA

Africa’s airlines have been badly hit by the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic; the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that aviation is at a virtual standstill.24 While top airlines on the continent continued to operate cargo and repatriation flights, many companies have reported losses, and governments have pledged financial support. Air connectivity and countries’ adoption of more liberal visa regimes will be vital to promote free movement of people across Africa, which in turn will help to accelerate economic recovery.

Visa openness in Africa Border restrictionsn 26 destinations in Africa had eased restrictions

by 1 September 2020, while borders in 27 destinations remained closed.20

As close to half of African destinations ease travel restrictions in line with plans to manage the pandemic, the topic of travel remains foremost in policy makers’ and people’s minds. Safety and security are critical factors in decision-making when it comes to the opening up of borders, and updated government measures have been rolled out for visitors in the region.

At the same time, however, with GDP in Africa projected to contract by between 1.7% to 3.4% in 202021 and African economies due to enter a recession losing up to USD 212 billion dollars,22 countries need to adopt a resilient recovery plan to withstand the systemic shocks.

Once restrictions ease, allowing people to move freely across the continent can make a significant impact in reviving key sectors of the economy, from tourism to investment. Countries that relaxed visa regimes and adopted visa-free and visa-on-arrival policies have seen economic benefits in recent years, attracting growing numbers of business and leisure travellers. This is the approach recently adopted by small as well as large economies on the continent – from The Gambia to Nigeria – that moved to open up to African visitors.

The latest trends show a rapid growth in the use of smart electronic solutions when it comes to travel on the continent, with a 167% increase in eVisas across Africa in the last five years. Going digital and using cutting-edge technology, including biometrics, to speed up and secure entry for visitors will play a key role as countries respond to a changing travel climate.

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The 2020 Visa Openness Index shows that African borders are increasingly opening up to African citizens, as year-on-year progress is made to support the freer movement of people.

African travellers have liberal access to travel to a record 54% of the continent, up by 9% since 2016, and can travel visa-free or get a visa on arrival in their destination. At the same time, fewer African countries are requesting visitors to have a visa prior to travel.

Visa openness findings, 2020Three African countries now offer visa-free access to all African visitors. The Gambia joins Seychelles and Benin at the top of the 2020 Index, having removed the need for any visa.

The number of countries on the continent offering eVisas for African travellers also continues to rise, with 44% of countries hosting an online platform, up from 17% in 2016. Most eVisa countries are either in the top scoring countries on the Index or have made the most progress on the Index, and have introduced their eVisa policies in the last four years.

Africans don’t need a visa to travel to 26% of other

African countries(up from 25% in 2019

and 2018, 22% in 2017, and 20% in 2016).

Africans can get visason arrival in 28%

of other African countries(up from 26% in 2019, 24% in 2018 and 2017,

and 25% in 2016).

Africans need visasto travel to 46% of

other African countries(down from 49% in 2019, 51% in 2018, 54% in 2017,

and 55% in 2016)

Average Visa Openness, 2020Africans have liberal access to 54% of other African countries

(up from 51% in 2019, 49% in 2018, 48% in 2017,

and 46% in 2016).

26%54%

46%28%

Top 20countries

0.858

Top 10countries

0.902All countries

0.484

1.00 0

Average Visa Openness scores, 2020

Africans don’t need a visa to travel to other African countries

Africans need visas to travel to other African countries

Africans can get visas on arrival in other African countries

20% 22% 25% 25% 26%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2016 2017 2018 2019 20200

10

20

30

40

50

60 55% 54% 51% 49% 46%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

25% 24% 24% 26% 28%

Change in Visa Openness scores, 2016-2020, %

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

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Visa openness in Africa 2020: country scores and ranking

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0Western Sahara

LibyaEquatorial Guinea

SudanEritreaEgypt

South SudanMoroccoBurundiAlgeria

DR CongoCameroon

São Tomé and PrincipeGabon

Republic of the CongoNamibia

LiberiaCAR

ChadAngola

LesothoSouth Africa

EswatiniBotswana

NigerTunisia

MaliGuinea

Côte d'IvoireZambiaMalawi

Burkina FasoZimbabwe

Sierra LeoneTanzania

MadagascarDjiboutiSomalia

ComorosEthiopia

MauritiusMauritania

MozambiqueTogo

KenyaCabo Verde

NigeriaGuinea-Bissau

UgandaRwanda

GhanaSenegal

The GambiaBenin

Seychelles

SCORE

HIGH utLOW

●●●●●●●●●●●●●

●●

●●●

●●

●●

●●

●●●●

●●●●

●●

●●●

●●

●●

●●●●●

●●●

●●●

●●

RANKSCORE

111456788

101111131415161717191921222324252627272930313232323536373838404142434445464646495051525353

1.0001.0001.0000.8830.8750.8680.8530.8490.8490.8450.8380.8380.8340.8300.8260.8080.8000.8000.7850.7850.6790.5020.4720.4680.4490.4300.4150.4150.4080.3960.3400.3210.3210.3210.3020.2940.2790.2640.2640.2450.2150.1700.1510.1320.1210.1130.1130.1130.0750.0600.0490.0300.0190.019N/A

Scores range from 0-1 (highest possible)Source : AfDB calculation based on data obtained from IATA – June-July, 2020.

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*Scores range from 0 to 1 (highest) Source : AfDB calculation based on data obtained from IATA – June-July, 2020.

Visa openness in Africa by category: no visa, visa on arrival, visa required

Western SaharaLibya

Equatorial GuineaSudanEritreaEgypt

South SudanMoroccoBurundiAlgeria

DR CongoCameroon

São Tomé and PrincipeGabon

Republic of the CongoNamibia

LiberiaCAR

ChadAngola

LesothoSouth Africa

EswatiniBotswana

NigerTunisia

MaliGuinea

Côte d'IvoireZambiaMalawi

Burkina FasoZimbabwe

Sierra LeoneTanzania

MadagascarDjiboutiSomalia

ComorosEthiopia

MauritiusMauritania

MozambiqueTogo

KenyaCabo Verde

NigeriaGuinea-Bissau

UgandaRwanda

GhanaSenegal

The GambiaBenin

Seychelles

NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTRIES0 10 20 30 40 50 53

0 10 20 30 40 50 53NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTRIES

No visa Visa on arrival Visa required (a visa must be obtained before departure and is not an eVisa)

SCORE

1.0001.0001.0000.8830.8750.8680.8530.8490.8490.8450.8380.8380.8340.8300.8260.8080.8000.8000.7850.7850.6790.5020.4720.4680.4490.4300.4150.4150.4080.3960.3400.3210.3210.3210.3020.2940.2790.2640.2640.2450.2150.1700.1510.1320.1210.1130.1130.1130.0750.0600.0490.0300.0190.019N/A

15

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

Average index score for the Top 20 countries0.858

Average index score of Top 10 countries0.902

Average index score of all countries0.484

20202019201820172016

Access overviewThe average visa openness score for all countries continued to rise in 2020, as did the average score for the Top 10 and Top 20 countries.

n Average score for all countries is 0.484 (up from 0.459 in 2019, 0.443 in 2018, 0.420 in 2017, and 0.425 in 2016).

Progress in average index scores, 2016-2020

LICVisa-freeaccess

LICeVisas

LICLiberalaccess

LICVisa on arrival

LIC LIC

PFMP

LIC

SAATMACFTA

LICVisa-freeaccess

LICeVisas

LICLiberalaccess

LICVisa on arrival

LIC LIC

PFMP

LIC

SAATMACFTA

LICVisa-freeaccess

LICeVisas

LICLiberalaccess

LICVisa on arrival

LIC LIC

PFMP

LIC

SAATMACFTA

Three African countries, Seychelles, Benin and The Gambia, offer visa-free access to all Africans (two in 2019 and 2018, one in 2017 and 2016).

11 African countries offer liberal access (visa-free or visa on arrival) to all Africans (up from 10 in 2019, also 11 in 2018, 10 in 2017 and 13 in 2016).

Two African countries offer visa on arrival to all Africans (three in 2019, four in 2018 and 2017, and three in 2016).

0

5

10

15

20

25

20169 countries

201713 countries

201816 countries

201921 countries

202024 countries o�er eVisas

44% ofAfrican countries

o�ered eVisasin 2020

Progress in use of eVisas, 2016-2020

eVisas

LICVisa-freeaccess

LICeVisas

LICLiberalaccess

LICVisa on arrival

LIC LIC

PFMP

LIC

SAATMACFTA

24 African countries offer eVisas (up from 21 in 2019, 16 in 2018, 13 in 2017, and 9 in 2016).

n 10 out of the Top 20 countries offer eVisas.

n Over 70% of the countries that offer eVisas improved their visa openness scores the most since 2016 or remained in the Top 20.

n 11 countries that improved their visa openness scores the most since 2016 or remained in the Top 20 introduced eVisas in the last four years.

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Top performersThe Visa Openness Index top performers saw a continued rise in scores in 2020, with 17 of the Top 20 countries also among the destinations most open to all international travellers.25 A growing number of Top 20 countries committed to the continent’s integration agenda. Over half of the Top 20 have signed up to the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and the Single African Air Transport Market, and ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Top 10 and Top 20 countries

n Seychelles, Benin and The Gambia are the top performing countries, offering visa-free access to all Africans.

n One new country from West Africa, Nigeria, entered the Top 20 most visa-open countries.

n Average score for the Top 10 countries is 0.902 (up from 0.882 in 2019, 0.878 in 2018, 0.853 in 2017, and 0.861 in 2016).

n Average score for the Top 20 countries is 0.858 (up from 0.824 in 2019, 0.807 in 2018, 0.768 in 2017, and 0.734 in 2016).

n 17 out of the Top 20 most open African countries for African travellers are also in the Top 20 least restrictive African destinations for global travellers.26

Income and geography

n 18 of the Top 20 countries are low-income or lower-middle income economies.

n Five out of six of Africa’s island states are in the Top 20 countries.

n All six of Africa’s upper-middle income economies have low visa openness scores.

(not shown)

Seychelles* and Benin* maintained their top score (1.000) since 2019.

Cabo Verde*, Guinea-Bissau*, Senegal* and Uganda* all maintained their scores above 0.800.

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

0.868 Rwanda*

0.838 Kenya

0.279 Chad

0.302 Lesotho

0.415 Côte d'Ivoire

0.019 Equatorial Guinea

0.875 Ghana*

0.808 Ethiopia

0.321 South Africa

0.502 Sierra Leone

1.000 The Gambia*

0.849 Nigeria*

20202019

0.902 Average, Top 10 countries

0.858 Average, Top 20 countries

0.484 Average, all countries

Countries showing most progress 2019-2020* Top 10 country, 2020

17

PFMP

Top performers and regional integration

ACFTA

11 of the Top 20 countries have signed the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons.27

SAATM

11 of the Top 20 countries have ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area.28

Regional overview, 2020 In 2020, progress was also made on visa openness across Africa’s eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs), with their average score rising to 0.483 in 2020, up from 0.473 in 2019.

In line with previous Index findings, 80% of the Top 20 most visa-open countries on the Index continue to be in East or West Africa, with the remainder in Southern Africa or North Africa.

Of the Top 20 most visa-open

countries, none are in

Central Africa.

Three countries in the Top 20 most visa-open countries

are in Southern Africa.Madagascar

Mauritius Mozambique

10

14

148 11

5 18

1916

7 1117

61

1713

1915Eight countries in the Top 20

most visa-open countries are in West Africa.

Benin Cabo Verde

GambiaGhana

Guinea-BissauNigeriaSenegal

Togo

40%

Eight countries in the Top 20 most visa-open countries

are in East Africa.Comoros Djibouti Ethiopia Kenya

RwandaSeychelles

SomaliaUganda

40%

15%

One country in the Top 20 most visa open countries

is in North Africa.Mauritania

5%

Since 2017, the top performers across the RECs on open reciprocity, which measures ‘no visa’ policies, are ECOWAS, EAC, SADC and UMA.

n In 2020, the EAC increased its open reciprocity to 90%, up from 60% in 2019, and SADC saw a rise to 68%, up from 59% in 2019.

n Open reciprocity Africa-wide was 20% (also 20% in 2019, 19% in 2018 and 17% in 2017).

n Closed reciprocity Africa-wide was 27% (30% in 2019, 33% in 2018 and 36% in 2017).

n Top performing RECs on open reciprocity: ECOWAS (97%), EAC (90%), SADC (68%) and UMA (60%).

12 of the Top 20 countries have signed up to the Single African Air Transport Market.29

Top 20 most visa-open countries by region and rank, 2020

18

Visa openness progress, 2016-2020There has been a general positive trend when it comes to visa openness across the continent in recent years, with a record 93% of countries either improving or maintaining their scores in the 2020 Index. At the same time, 20 countries moved upwards in rank, up from 13 in 2019.

Ten countries that have made progress on the Index in the last five years are also adopting online solutions to streamline the travel process for African visitors by offering eVisas. Among those that most improved their visa openness scores between 2016-2020, six countries are in West Africa, while seven countries in East Africa maintained or increased their high scores.

In 2020, 42% of African countries with low visa openness scores still do not offer any visas on arrival for African travellers, although this improved from 60% in 2016. This shows the scope that exists for countries lower down the Index to adopt more visa-on-arrival policies.

n 50 countries improved or maintained their score (47 countries in 2019, 43 in 2018 and 47 in 2017).

n 20 countries moved upwards in rank on the Index (13 in 2019, 14 in 2018 and 12 in 2017).

n Ten countries that made the most progress on the Index between 2016-2020 also offer eVisas (Angola, Benin, Ethiopia, Gabon, Malawi, Nigeria, São Tome and Príncipé, Sierra Leone, Tunisia and Zimbabwe).

n Six countries that made the most progress on the Index between 2016-2020 are in West Africa (Benin, The Gambia, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone).

n Seven countries that maintained high scores or increased their high scores on the Index are in East Africa (Seychelles, Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda).

18

1919

202020192018201720160.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

0.808

202020192018201720160.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

0.294

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

20202019201820172016

0.151

202020192018201720160.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.01.000

202020192018201720160.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.00.849

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

20202019201820172016

0.396

202020192018201720160.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

0.808

202020192018201720160.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0 0.883

202020192018201720160.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

0.502

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

20202019201820172016

0.170

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

20202019201820172016

0.849

202020192018201720160.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.00.875

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

20202019201820172016

0.472

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

20202019201820172016

1.000

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

20202019201820172016

0.449

BENIN*

GHANA*

MOZAMBIQUE

TUNISIA

ETHIOPIA*

NIGERIA*

SÃO TOMÉ AND PRINCIPE

ZIMBABWE

THE GAMBIA*

MADAGASCAR*

SENEGAL*

ANGOLA

GABON

MALAWI

SIERRA LEONE (not shown)

Seychelles* maintained it's top score (1.000) since 2016.

Top 20 countries Cabo Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau*, Mauritania, Mauritius, Somalia, Togo and Uganda*, all maintained their scores above 0.800.Kenya and Rwanda* both showed a slight increase.

Trends in visa openness, 2016-2020 * Top 10 country, 2020

20

Top performers and reformers, 2016-2020: innovations and AU initiativesCountry Visa

openness rank, 2020

Top 20, 2020

Most progress

2016-2020

Most progress

2019-2020

Offers eVisa

Ratified AfCFTA

Joined SAATM

Signed PFMP

Angola 36 l l l l

Benin 1 l l l l

Cabo Verde 10 l l l l

Chad 37 l l l

Comoros 17 l l

Côte d'Ivoire 27 l l l l

Djibouti 19 l l l l

Ethiopia 19 l l l l l

Gabon 42 l l l l l

The Gambia 1 l l l l l l

Ghana 5 l l l l l

Guinea-Bissau 8 l l l

Kenya 11 l l l l l

Lesotho 35 l l l

Madagascar 19 l l

Malawi 25 l l l

Mauritania 14 l l

Mauritius 15 l l

Mozambique 13 l l l

Nigeria 8 l l l l l l

Rwanda 6 l l l l l

São Tomé and Principe 43 l l l l

Senegal 4 l l l l l

Seychelles 1 l

Sierra Leone 22 l l l l l

Somalia 17 l l l

South Africa 32 l l

Tanzania 21 l l

Tunisia 30 l l

Togo 11 l l l l

Uganda 7 l l l l

Zimbabwe 23 l l l l

SAATM PFMPeVISA ACFTA

Country has ratified the African Continental Free Trade Agreement

Country has signed the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons

Country has joined the Single African Air Transport Market

SAATM PFMPACFTA

21

At the 63rd UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa, the country’s Minister for Tourism and Culture also highlighted critical communication and connectivity areas that need to be addressed on the continent including greater air access and affordable airfares.32

PFMP

the gambia

10TOP

1RANK

100%LIBERALACCESS

SAATM

ACFTA

The Gambian The Gambia moved into the top position in the

Index (alongside Seychelles and Benin.

n 2020 Index ranking: no. 1 (up from no. 20 in 2019, no. 19 in 2018, no. 18 in 2017, and no. 18 in 2016).

n 2020 Liberal access (visa-free or visa on arrival to Africans): 100% (up from 53% in 2019).

The Gambia rose to the top of the Visa Openness Index moving up 19 places in 2020 by offering visa-free entry to all African travellers, and almost doubling its score in the last year.

In September 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad declared the country a visa-free zone for all charter and scheduled flights.30 The move applies to African Union citizens and those from Commonwealth and select countries.

“ Africa needs to develop its domestic and regional tourism; our integration is key. We must make sure that we work together in our regional bodies - the ECOWAS within the AU - to promote interstate tourism, develop the infrastructure, including in the rural areas.” 31

Hamat N.K Bah Tourism and Culture minister, The Gambia

A top performer on the Index over the last five years, The Gambia has fully liberalized its visa policy in line with its commitment to African integration, having signed up to the Free Movement of Persons Protocol and the Single African Air Transport Market in addition to having ratified the AfCFTA.

Case studiesCountries moving up in 2020

“ Tourism plays a pivotal role in the economic growth of the Gambia, and as we strive to recover from the devastating impacts COVID-19 has on our economy, tourism is integral in this process.” 33

Hamat N.K Bah Tourism and Culture minister, The Gambia

The new visa policy adopted by The Gambia’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture supports the country’s strong focus on promoting regional tourism alongside the domestic market. As part of this, the government plans to boost the tourism sector by encouraging travellers from across the continent to engage with African culture during their travel in the country.34

The Gambia ranks among the Top 20 fastest growing economies worldwide in terms of travel and tourism contribution to GDP, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). In 2019, the sector made up 17.7% of the economy and was responsible for 18.2% of employment.35 The country has received a WTTC ‘Safe Travels’ Stamp for adopting health and hygiene global standardized protocols for the safety of travellers and the workforce.36

22

Nigerian Nigeria joined the Top 10 countries, moving up

22 places.

n 2020 Index ranking: no. 8 (up from no. 30 in 2019, no. 29 in 2018, no. 30 in 2017, and no. 25 in 2016).

n 2020 Liberal access (visa-free or visa on arrival to Africans): 98% (up from 34% in 2019).

Nigeria moved into the Top 10 countries of the Index for the first time, rising 22 places since the last edition, achieving a record 153% increase in its visa openness score in the last year.

The Nigeria Visa Policy 2020 is part of the country’s reform programme under the National Immigration Service’s Borders Strategy 2019-2023, and it includes an increase in the number of visa classes to better connect visas to the purpose of travel. A new border management information system is also being rolled out, which puts a greater emphasis on technology and automation to improve security and transparency. Biometric eVisas are also available.37

10TOP

8RANK

98%LIBERALACCESS

eVISA

PFMP

nigeria

ACFTA

Nigeria’s declared commitment to support free movement of Africans within Africa39 and grant Africans visas on arrival has been widely welcomed by governments and businesses.

“ Pleased to announce that Nigeria has a new Visa Policy, which I launched today. This new Policy will help improve our business environment, attract FDI, boost tourism, and improve African integration, without compromising national security and our territorial integrity.

This new Visa Policy will advance our goal of building a globally competitive economy, by helping attract Innovation, and specialized skills and knowledge from abroad, to complement locally available ones. We are sending a message to the world that Nigeria is Open for Business.” @MBuhari, February 4 202038

Muhammadu Buhari President of Nigeria

“ The Visa on Arrival facility is available to two categories of travelers: 1. Frequently traveled High Net Worth Investors with business interest in Nigeria. 2. Citizens of African Countries.”

Nigeria Immigration Service, https://immigration.gov.ng/voa-new/

The relaxation of the visa policy aims to attract investors and skills, drive trade and promote tourism. Nigeria ranks among the largest African economies in terms of travel and tourism contribution to GDP, totalling USD 18.1 billion in 2019 according to the WTTC.40

As a hub for trade, technology and investment on the continent, Nigeria has made strong progress to improve its business environment. Thanks to the country’s reforms on business registration, the entry and exit of goods and people, transparency and information, Nigeria rose a significant 15 places in the World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business Index.41 At the same time, the country signed the African Continental Free Trade Area in 2019 and is set to follow with ratification, while setting up a National Action Committee on the Agreement.42

23

eVISAeVISA

22RANK

57%LIBERALACCESS

PFMP

sierre leone

SAATM

ACFTA

The visa policy fits within the country’s efforts to boost tourist arrivals and increase tourism receipts, matched by initiatives to reduce airline ticket prices to increase competitiveness.45 Sierra Leone is seen as an emerging visitors’ destination, and ranks as 7th out of the Top 20 fastest growing economies on travel and tourism based on WTTC reports.46 The sector contributed 12.9% to GDP growth in 2019, adding USD 3.9 billion to the overall economy.47

Sierra Leonen Sierra Leone moved up to just below the Top 20

countries in the Index.

n 2020 Index ranking: no. 22 (up from no. 33 in 2019, 2018, and 2017, and no. 32 in 2016).

n 2020 Liberal access (visa-free or visa on arrival to Africans): 57% (up from 32% in 2019).

Sierra Leone moved close to the Top 20 most visa-open countries on the Index in 2020, rising 11 places on the ranking and improving its score by 60% since the last edition of the Index.

In September 2019, the Immigration Service under the Ministry of Internal Affairs shared the news that all African visitors would be able to obtain visas on arrival into Sierra Leone for a USD 25 fee and, at the same time, ECOWAS nationals would be able to gain visa-free entry.

“ Sierra Leone has announced new Visa on Arrival policy. Visa is free for ECOWAS @ecowas_cedeao member states & Visa is $25 for @_AfricanUnion member states.”43

@AfricaTradeLink

Sierra Leone, with a total of 179 improvements, is one of the countries featured among the UNWTO African destinations that improved visa procedures the most over the last decade.44

“ This is an indication that the new direction is poised to take the country to another level and our latest step in making the country attractive to tourists and foreign investors.” 48

Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Information Minister, Sierra Leone

In line with the momentum on closer integration on the continent, Sierra Leone has signed up to the Free Movement of Persons Protocol and the Single African Air Transport Market, as well as having ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In 2020, according to the World Bank’s Doing Business Index, the country also promoted faster trading across borders. In addition, a workshop was held in 2020 to validate the National Trade Strategy in line with the AfCFTA to reposition the country towards more diversified goods and services.49

24

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to deal countless blows to lives and livelihoods across Africa and globally, the full force of the economic consequences has yet to be determined. While the overall impact varies by sectors and countries, the crisis has laid bare the critical need for ever closer cooperation and integration for the continent to respond and recover.

Looking ahead

As travel restrictions ease and measures put in place to contain the spread of the disease, there are fresh opportunities to capitalize on the momentum that will come with trading under the AfCFTA and progress on opening up Africa’s skies and freer movement of people.

Relaxing a country’s visa policies for other African travellers offers immediate benefits, supporting the hard-hit travel and tourism sector that provides critical incomes and jobs, as well as facilitating the ability to return to business and encouraging prospective investors.

The current crisis has shone a light on the value of mobilizing growth opportunities within Africa as well as the importance of fostering an exchange of skills and expertise, and the need to accelerate a digital transformation to shore up resilience against future shocks. Forward-looking countries have already adopted this approach through their visa openness policies, looking to create greater connectivity across different places, people and platforms. Recent trends show African countries that have set up online visa systems are at the same time taking action to adopt reforms that allow a more liberal access to other African visitors.

Against the backdrop of the 2020 crisis, African countries can take bold steps now to adopt liberal visa policies that open up travellers’ horizons, as well as those of the continent itself.

...there are fresh opportunities to capitalize on the momentum that will come with trading under the AfCFTA and progress on opening up Africa’s skies and freer movement of people.

25

Africa Visa Openness Index sixth editionThe sixth edition of the Index will look at the longer-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on visa openness on the continent and the steps towards economic recovery in key sectors from tourism to investment.

The report will also go deeper into how the crisis opens up prospects for Africa’s countries and regions to use data-driven technology to streamline the travel experience for African visitors, at the same time as safeguarding security and health. In addition, the next report will include a focus on the cost of visas and set out the case for how reducing or eliminating fees can promote freer movement of people on the continent.

Follow, and be part of, the debate on the Africa Visa Openness Index:

www.visaopenness.org

Visa openness solutions in 2020+

Visa on arrival for Africans

Visa-free regional blocs

Regional bloc visas

Multi-year visas after assessing applicant

Promoting positive reciprocity (for citizens of countries that relaxed

visa requirements to benefit from similar requirements

when visiting other African countries)

Opening up on visas unilaterally

Simplifying the visa process: documents required, fees, processing time,

online applications (introducing eVisas can help

to facilitate visitor access)

Improving access to information: online and in different languages

Travel Document Solutions

Regional travel using regional passports or national identity cards

African passport for business people (issued by competent authority to strict criteria)

African passport for all African citizens (issued by national authorities

to follow the African Union passport rolled out in 2016)

25

Scores range from 0 to1 (highest) * Visa required means a visa has to be obtained before departure and is not an eVisa.

Source: IATA (June-July 2020)

Annex 1. Visa openness in Africa: country scores and ranking

Country VISA OPENNESS INDICATORS(by number of African countries)

Score Rank

No visa required Visa on arrival Visa required*

Seychelles 53 0 0 1.000 1Benin 53 0 0 1.000 1The Gambia 53 0 0 1.000 1Senegal 22 31 0 0.883 4Ghana 24 28 1 0.875 5Rwanda 18 35 0 0.868 6Uganda 18 34 1 0.853 7Guinea-Bissau 13 40 0 0.849 8Nigeria 17 35 1 0.849 8Cabo Verde 16 36 1 0.845 10Kenya 18 33 2 0.838 11Togo 14 38 1 0.838 11Mozambique 9 44 0 0.834 13Mauritania 8 45 0 0.830 14Mauritius 27 21 5 0.826 15Ethiopia 2 51 0 0.808 16Comoros 0 53 0 0.800 17Somalia 0 53 0 0.800 17Djibouti 0 52 1 0.785 19Madagascar 0 52 1 0.785 19Tanzania 16 25 12 0.679 21Sierra Leone 13 17 23 0.502 22Zimbabwe 17 10 26 0.472 23Burkina Faso 16 11 26 0.468 24Malawi 15 11 27 0.449 25Zambia 14 11 28 0.430 26Côte d'Ivoire 22 0 31 0.415 27Guinea 22 0 31 0.415 27Mali 20 2 31 0.408 29Tunisia 21 0 32 0.396 30Niger 18 0 35 0.340 31Botswana 17 0 36 0.321 32Eswatini 17 0 36 0.321 32South Africa 17 0 36 0.321 32Lesotho 16 0 37 0.302 35Angola 10 7 36 0.294 36Chad 14 1 38 0.279 37Central African Republic 14 0 39 0.264 38Liberia 14 0 39 0.264 38Namibia 13 0 40 0.245 40Republic of the Congo 5 8 40 0.215 41Gabon 9 0 44 0.170 42São Tomé and Principe 8 0 45 0.151 43Cameroon 7 0 46 0.132 44DR Congo 4 3 46 0.121 45Algeria 6 0 47 0.113 46Burundi 6 0 47 0.113 46Morocco 6 0 47 0.113 46South Sudan 0 5 48 0.075 49Egypt 0 4 49 0.060 50Eritrea 1 2 50 0.049 51Sudan 0 2 51 0.030 52Equatorial Guinea 1 0 52 0.019 53Libya 1 0 52 0.019 53Western Sahara

26

Annex 1. Visa openness in Africa: country scores and ranking Annex 2. Visa openness in Africa: latest developments and initiatives

Country Visa openness rank, 2020

Top 20 2020

eVisa available

Ratified AfCFTA

Agreed to join the SAATM

Signed the PFMP

Seychelles 1 l

Benin 1 l l l

The Gambia 1 l l l l

Senegal 4 l l l l l

Ghana 5 l l l l

Rwanda 6 l l l l l

Uganda 7 l l l l l

Guinea-Bissau 8 l

Nigeria 8 l l l

Cabo Verde 10 l l

Kenya 11 l l l l

Togo 11 l l l l

Mozambique 13 l l l l

Mauritania 14 l l

Mauritius 15 l l l

Ethiopia 16 l l l

Comoros 17 l l l

Somalia 17 l l l l

Djibouti 19 l l l l

Madagascar 19 l

Tanzania 21 l l

Sierra Leone 22 l l l

Zimbabwe 23 l l l

Burkina Faso 24 l l l l

Malawi 25 l

Zambia 26 l

Côte d'Ivoire 27 l l l l

Guinea 27 l l l l

Mali 29 l l l

Tunisia 30 l

Niger 31 l l l

Botswana 32 l

Eswatini 32 l l l

South Africa 32 l l l

Lesotho 35 l l l

Angola 36 l

Chad 37 l l l

Central African Republic 38 l l

Liberia 38 l l

Namibia 40 l

Republic of the Congo 41 l l l

Gabon 42 l l l l

São Tomé and Principe 43 l l l

Cameroon 44 l l l

DR Congo 45 l l

Algeria 46 l

Burundi 46Morocco 46 l

South Sudan 49 l l

Egypt 50 l l

Eritrea 51Sudan 52 l

Equatorial Guinea 53 l l l

Libya 53Western Sahara l

27

33 countries have ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

LIC

PFMP

LIC LIC

SAATMACFTA61%

32 countries have signed the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons (PFMP).

LIC

PFMP

LIC LIC

SAATMACFTA59%

33 countries have agreed to join the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

LIC

PFMP

LIC LIC

SAATMACFTA61%

Of 54 African countries:

SAATM PFMPeVISA ACFTA

Notes 1. www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/speeches/opening-speech-dr-

akinwumi-adesina-president-african-development-bank-2020-annual-meetings-african-development-bank-group-abidjan-cote-divoire-august-26-2020-37532

2. https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20200525/25-may-african-liberation-day-declaration-he-moussa-faki-mahamat

3. https://au.int/sites/default/files/pages/3657-file-agenda2063_popular_version_en.pdf

4. https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20200817/secretary-general-statement-handover-ceremony-afcfta-buildings

5. https://au.int/sites/default/files/newsevents/reports/37472-rp-pa25606_e_original_004_ff.pdf

6. www.iata.org/en/policy/business-freedom/saatm/7. www.integrate-africa.org8. See Visa Openness Solutions 2020+ on p.27 for wider initiatives that

support visa openness.9. www.e-unwto.org/doi/epdf/10.18111/wtobarometereng.2020.18.1.510. www.unwto.org/news/international-tourist-numbers-down-65-in-

first-half-of-2020-unwto-reports11. https://unctad.org/news/investment-flows-africa-set-

drop-25-40-202012. https://wttc.org/Research/Economic-Impact (Global Economic Impact

& Trends 2020 download)13. www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/risk/our-insights/covid-19-

implications-for-business14. www.e-unwto.org/doi/epdf/10.18111/wtobarometereng.2020.18.1.515. https://wttc.org/COVID-19/Safe-Travels-Global-Protocols-Stamp

(as of October 2020)16. https://unctad.org/news/investment-flows-africa-set-

drop-25-40-202017. www.afdb.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/afdb20-

04_aeo_supplement_full_report_for_web_0705.pdf18. www.africainvestmentforum.com/en/news/press-releases/africa-

investment-forum-founding-partners-unveil-unified-covid-19-response

19. https://unctad.org/news/investment-flows-africa-set-drop-25-40-2020

20. https://webunwto.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2020-09/200909-travel-restrictions.pdf

21. www.afdb.org/en/documents/african-economic-outlook-2020-supplement

22. www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/multimedia/video/president-adesina-discusses-immediate-and-long-term-impact-covid-19-africa-35755

23. www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-08-13-0324. Ibid.25. www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/978928442103926. Ibid.27. https://au.int/sites/default/files/treaties/36403-sl-PROTOCOL%20

TO%20THE%20TREATY%20ESTABLISHING%20THE%20AFRICAN%20ECONOMIC%20COMMUNITY%20RELAT....pdf

28. https://www.tralac.org/resources/infographic/13795-status-of-afcfta-ratification.html

29. https://www.iata.org/en/policy/business-freedom/saatm/30. www.voicegambia.com/2019/10/27/govt-announces-visa-free-zone-

for-charter-scheduled-flights/31. www.gambiadaily.gov.gm/63rd-unwto-regional-commission-africa-

meeting-held32. www.voicegambia.com/2019/10/27/govt-announces-visa-free-zone-

for-charter-scheduled-flights/33. https://wttc.org/COVID-19/Safe-Travels-Global-Protocols-Stamp34. www.gambiadaily.gov.gm/63rd-unwto-regional-commission-africa-

meeting-held35. https://wttc.org/Research/Economic-Impact (EIR 2020 Data Tables

Top 20 download)36. https://wttc.org/COVID-19/Safe-Travels-Global-Protocols-Stamp37. https://www.africanews.com/2020/02/06/nigeria-s-new-visa-policy-

aims-to-boost-trade-attract-overseas-talent/38. https://twitter.com/MBuhari/status/1224696733848031234?s=2039. https://twitter.com/MBuhari/status/1205041006577618944?s=2040. https://wttc.org/Research/Economic-Impact (Global Economic Impact

& Trends 2020 download)41. https://africanbusinessmagazine.com/region/west-africa/nigerias-

improving-business-climate/42. https://twitter.com/TradeInvestNG/status/1308061639070097408?s=2043. https://twitter.com/AfricaTradeLink/status/1169905253317132289?s=2044. www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/978928442103945. https://tourism.gov.sl/sierra-leone-eliminates-all-barriers-to-tourists46. https://wttc.org/Research/Economic-Impact (EIR 2020 Data Tables

Top 20 download)47. Ibid.48. www.africanews.com/2019/09/07/sierra-leone-starts-visa-free-entry-

for-ecowas-25-for-other-au-citizens//49. www.uneca.org/stories/sierra-leone-repositions-its-trade-afcfta

28

Published by:African Development Bank Group,Immeuble du Centre de commerce International d’Abidjan CCIAAvenue Jean-Paul II01 BP 1387Abidjan 01, Côte d’IvoireTel. : (225) 20 26 10 20

All rights reserved © 2020 The African Development Bank

Report development and text: Elena Immambocus

Design: Peggy King Cointepas

Principal photography: © José Carlos Alexandre

Photography, page 24: © African Development Bank

Find out more at www.visaopenness.org

This document was prepared by the Regional Development and Regional Integration Department, and the Industrial and Trade Development Department at the African Development Bank.

© 2020 African Development Bank Group

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